Full Paper
IAEA-CN77
Contents  Return  Previous Page  Next Page  Index


Return To: Session EX/P4 - AUG, TORE SUPRA, FT-U, TRIAM-1M,
Prev Page: (EX/P4-21) Recent Experimental Results of HL-1M and Progress
Next Page: Session EX/P5 - C-Mod, TCV, TEXTOR, RFX, GOL,


(EX/P4-22) Investigations into the Relationship between Spheromak, Solar, and Astrophysical Plasmas

P.M. Bellan1), S.C. Hsu, J.F. Hansen, M. Tokman, S.E. Pracko, C.A. Romero-Talamas
 
1) Caltech, Pasadena, USA

Abstract.  Spheromaks offer the potential for a simple, low cost fusion reactor and involve physics similar to certain solar and astrophysical phenomena. A program to improve understanding of spheromaks by exploiting this relationship is underway using (i) a planar spheromak gun and (ii) a solar prominence simulator. These devices differ in symmetry but both involve spheromak technology whereby high-voltage is applied across electrodes linking a bias magnetic flux created by external coils. The planar spheromak gun consists of a co-planar disk and annulus linked by a poloidal bias field. Application of high voltage across the gap between disk and annulus drives a current along the bias field. If the current to flux ratio exceeds the inverse of the characteristic linear dimension, a spheromak is ejected. A distinct kink forms just below the ejection threshold. The solar simulation gun consists of two adjacent electromagnets which generate a ``horse-shoe'' arched bias field. A current is driven along this arched field by a capacitor bank. The current channel first undergoes pinching, then writhes, and finally bulges outwards due to the hoop force.

Read the full paper in PDF format.

IAEA 2003